Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Directors Reports

1.  Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.  

Dr. Morrill, Tom Egan, and William Hughes have met with Carla Cunningham, the owner of the property.  The potential purchase price was discussed.  The Commission has received an appraisal on the property and an estimate of the stabilization costs.  I have received several emails urging the HLC to preserve the property.  The Projects Committee will have a recommendation on this issue to present to the Commission.

2.  Pecan Avenue Duplex, 1437 Pecan Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.

The property is being marketed by Edwin Wilson, Jr.  The option to purchase is in place.  Staff will be assisting with the marketing of the property.  The County has ruled that hereafter the HLC will have to obtain Board of County Commission approval for options to purchase.  HLC Staff will appear before the Board of County Commissioners on September 18th to explain how options will assist the HLC in saving historic resources.

3.  Former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 412 Campus Street, Charlotte, N.C.

Preservation North Carolina and the HLC Staff will meet with officials of Johnson C. Smith University on the morning of September 24th to discuss preservation strategies for the building, which the University owns.

4.  Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, N.C.

The prospective buyer has withdrawn from the contract.  The Commission has voted to move forward with demolishing all buildings except the original building and marketing the property largely as vacant land.  The Projects Committee will present a recommendation on this issue to the Historic Landmarks Commission.

5.  Ingleside, 7225 Bud Henderson Road, Huntersville, N.C.

Staff recommends that the future disposition of the property be considered in conjunction with other agencies in North Mecklenburg, including the Town of Huntersville.  The National Trust For Historic Preservation has expressed a willingness to consider a matching grant for an adaptive reuse feasibility study.  The Board of County Commissioners has recognized the purchase money from the HLC Revolving Fund, and the HLC is now the owner.  HLC Staff will meet with officials of Huntersville in the afternoon of September 24th to discuss how the HLC and Huntersville might work together on an adaptive reuse study of the property.

6.  Wallace Log House, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte, N.C.

The Public Hearing with City Council to consider designation of the property will occur on September 17th.  The current owners will lease the property after closing, which should occur in late October.  The property will be actively marketed after closing.  The Board of County Commissioners has recognized the purchase money from the HLC Revolving Fund.

7.  Charles E. Barnhardt House, 3217 Maymont Place, Charlotte, N.C.  

The HLC continues to market the property.  An architectural shingle roof is being installed, and other mandated improvements will be made in the near future. The developer of the property has granted an extension until September 30th of the time in which improvements must be made.  The Projects Committee will present a recommendation regarding this issue to the Historic Landmarks Commission.

8.  Former Fire Station Number Ten, 2136 Remount Road, Charlotte, N.C.  

Discussions of the future disposition of the property continue.

9.  James C. Dowd House, 2216 Monument Street, Charlotte, N.C.  

Discussions of the future disposition of the property continue.

10.  McConnell House, 4009 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.  

McConnell House

Staff continues to negotiate with Martin Marietta, the owner of the property.  Staff hopes to secure an exclusive, assignable option to purchase that is co-terminus with the Certificate of Appropriateness which has been issued to the owner.  Staff is working to schedule a meeting with the owner to discuss preservation strategies.  Sandy Carnegie and I will have a conference telephone call later this week with officials of Martin Marietta to discuss possible preservation strategies.

11.  Morgan School, 510 S. Torrence Street, Charlotte, N.C.   

Staff continues to discuss the future disposition of the property.  The HLC submitted an offer in November 2016 to purchase the property.  CMS is reviewing the status of all of its surplus property.  CMS will report on the status of the prospective sale of the Morgan School once the review is finished.

12.  Patterson Grocery Building, 2515 Booker Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.

Residents of Washington Heights have contacted the Commission and have expressed a desire to see the Patterson Grocery Building preserved.  Staff is seeking to meet with the prospective buyer to discuss preservation solutions.

13.  Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery, 3712 Monroe Road, Charlotte, N.C.  Dr. Reginald Hawkins House, 1703 Madison Avenue, Charlotte, N.C.  Wallace House, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte, N.C.  Hennigan Place, 3503 Tilley Morris Road, Charlotte, N.C.   

These properties are being processed for historic landmark designation.

 

14.  HLC Staff and members of the HLC will attend a Preservation Workshop on September 27th in Greensboro, N.C.  This will fulfill the continuing education requirements for this year for the Certified Local Government Program.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dr. Dan L. Morrill


1.  Barnhardt House, 3217 Maymont Place, Charlotte.  Fred Caligiuri, the developer of Cramer’s Pond, has granted a 30-day extension for the completion of the contractual improvements to the house.  Staff is working with the Project Management team to establish the color of the roof shingles to be presented to the supervising architect for the Cramer’s Pond neighborhood.  Staff will also be working to repair the windows and paint the exterior of the house.  The Projects Committee met with the prospective buyer who has met with Stewart Gray to discuss potential alterations to the property.  The tarp on the house has failed, and water is entering the house.

2.  Ingleside, 7225 Bud Henderson Road, Huntersville.   Sandy Carnegie, HLC attorney, is working to arrange for a closing on the property in September.  Peter Wasmer is gathering the necessary information to present to the Board of County Commissioners to obtain recognition of the funds needed to buy the property.  Money has been spent on the repair of the air conditioning system.  The Projects Committee will have a recommendation to present to the Commission.


3.  Wallace Log House, 9425 Robinson Church Road, Charlotte.  Staff is processing the property for historic landmark designation, and Peter Wasmer is gathering the necessary information to present to the Board of County Commissioners to obtain recognition of the funds needed to buy the property.  The owners of the property have agreed in principle to the terms of a lease of the property following closing.  The Executive Committee will have a recommendation to present to the Commission.


4.  Torrence Lytle School, 302 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville.  Brock Ventures, the prospective buyer of the Torrence Lytle School, has deposited its initial earnest money payment.  He continues to perform due diligence.  Staff has received an email from Brock Ventures expressing concerns about the economic viability of the project.  Staff is exploring ideas with the prospective buyer as to how the project may be made viable.


5.  Pecan Avenue Duplex, 1427 Pecan Avenue, Charlotte.  The Projects Committee has met with the owner of the property concerning possible acquisition of an exclusive, assignable option to purchase the property.  The Projects Committee has a recommendation to present to the Commission.


6.  McConnell House, 4009 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte
 
Staff met with representatives of Martin Marietta, owners of the property, and suggested a variety of preservation solutions.  Martin Marietta has determined that the house must be moved from its present site to property not owned by Martin Marietta.  Martin Marietta will donate the house to an entity that would move the house.  The Projects Committee has a recommendation to present to the Commission.


7.  Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.  Peter Wasmer has obtained an appraisal on the property and the cost of stabilizing the shell of the building.  Staff will be scheduling a visit with the owner.  Click Here for Stabilization Cost Analysis


8.  Former Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 412 Campus Street, Charlotte.  The City has ordered Johnson C. Smith University, the owner of the property, to bring the building up to code by October 10th or the building will be demolished.  The University cannot legally demolish the building, because Preservation North Carolina holds deed covenants on the property.  Staff is working with Preservation North Carolina to arrange a meeting with University officials to discuss the situation.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church


9.  Charlotte Streetcar 85.  Charlotte Streetcar 85 has been leased to Lakewood Trolley.  The Streetcar was moved on August 1st to the Trolley Storage Building on Chamberlain Avenue.  The Commission will be working with Lakewood Trolley to make the necessary repairs to Streetcar 85.


10.  Charlotte Streetcar Number One.  Charlotte Streetcar Number One was built c. 1910 by the J. G. Brill Company of Philadelphia, PA.  It was shipped to Athens, Greece and operated on the streets of Athens into the 1960s.  It then became a rail repair car.  In the 1980s, the Historic Landmarks Commission sought to introduce vintage streetcar service in Charlotte.  Staff convinced a local developer to purchase and restore Trolley Number One.  It was transported by ship to New York City and transported to Guilford, Connecticut, where it was restored.  The streetcar was transported to Charlotte and arrived in 1989.  The car was donated to the Historic Landmarks Commission, which in turn gave the streetcar to Charlotte Trolley.  Negotiations are now underway for the Commission to acquire Trolley Number One from Charlotte Trolley for possible lease to Lakewood Trolley.


11.  Former Charlotte Fire Station No. 10, 2136 Remount Road, Charlotte.  Staff continues to negotiate with County officials about the possibility that ownership of the property might be conveyed to the Historic Landmarks Commission.


12.  James C. Dowd House, 2216 Monument Street, Charlotte.  There have been no new developments regarding the Dowd House since the June meeting of the HLC.


Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Dan L. Morrill


1.  Dowd House and former Charlotte Fire Station No. 10.  The County has not yet determined how it will proceed with its plans to preserve the James C. Dowd House and Former Charlotte Fire Station Number Ten.  There have been no significant developments since the HLC’s April Meeting.  Staff has requested a meeting with County officials to discuss the future possibilities for Former Charlotte Fire Station No. 10.

Dowd House

Charlotte Fire Station No. 10


2.  The Jerry and Tena Wallace House. Staff has received its appraisal of the property.  The Due Diligence process will continue.  The owners have agreed to an extension of the Due Diligence Period until October 26th.  Stewart Gray reports that the designation of the property as a historic landmark is scheduled to occur on October 15th.  Staff has provided the owners with the draft of a lease of the property for a yet-to-be-determined period after closing.

Wallace House


3.  Wadsworth House.  South State Bank has issued a formal request for bids to purchase the property.  The bid documents state that the bank will consider factors other than the offered price.  The Projects Committee discussed the status of the property and has not recommended that the HLC submit an offer at this time.  South State Bank has notified potential buyers that the HLC can delay the demolition for up to 365 days.  Staff will keep the HLC advised.

Wadsworth House


4.  Wilmore School.  City Council voted on May 21st to designate the Wilmore School as a historic landmark.  Thanks to the Survey Committee for its initiative in this area.

Wilmore School


5.  Charles E. Barnhardt House.    The property is being actively marketed.  Special thanks for the work of the Projects Management Committee.  Len Norman and I visited with Fred Caligiuri, the developer of the Cramer’s Pond Neighborhood, and he has agreed that the HLC should submit a form requesting approval for the placement of an architectural shingle roof on the house.  Staff is confident that approval can be obtained.

Charles E. Barnhardt House


6.  Torrence Lytle School.  Staff is endeavoring to establish contact with the previous prospective buyer to see if a mutually acceptable arrangement for the preservation of all or some portion of the property can be negotiated.
Click Here for Preservation Covenants

 

7.  Charlotte Streetcar 85.  Funds for the transport of Streetcar 85 to Charlotte have been encumbered.  Staff is working with Sandy Carnegie, HLC Attorney, to finalize the lease of the Streetcar to Lakewood Trolley.  Hopefully, the Streetcar will arrive in Charlotte on some date in July.  Click Here for the Lease Agreement  Click Here for Agreement with Savona

Charlotte Streetcar 85


8.  Ingleside.  Staff has been working to finalize arrangements for the purchase of Ingleside, 7225 Bud Henderson Road, Huntersville, N.C.  The Projects Committee will have a recommendation to bring before the HLC later in this meeting.  Staff has encumbered money to perform maintenance of the property.  The Old Huntersville Historical Society is also assisting with maintenance.

Click Here For Photographs Of Ingleside


9.  The owner of the McConnell House has filed a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the McConnell House, 4009 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.  The Design Review Committee shall recommend that the demolition be delayed for 365 days, so that Staff can investigate preservation strategies.


10.  Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.  Mt. Carmel Baptist Church at 412 Campus Street, Charlotte, has been cited by the Charlotte Code Enforcement Agency for numerous building violations. Sometimes these violations can result in an order for the demolition of the building. The building is owned by JCSU.
Click Here for S&R Report


11. Excelsior Club.   The owner of the Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, has submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the demolition of the Excelsior Club.  The Design Review Committee shall recommend that the demolition be delayed for up to 365 days, so that preservation strategies can be investigated.

Excelsior Club


12. 
Reconnaissance Survey of Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Charlotte.  The money to perform the Mid-Century Modern Architecture Survey has been encumbered.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Dan L. Morrill


1.  Dowd House and former Charlotte Fire Station No. 10.  The County has not yet determined how it will proceed with its plans to preserve the James C. Dowd House and Former Charlotte Fire Station Number Ten.  There have been no significant developments since the HLC’s April Meeting.  Staff has requested a meeting with County officials to discuss the future possibilities for Former Charlotte Fire Station No. 10.

Dowd House

Charlotte Fire Station No. 10

2.  The Jerry and Tena Wallace House. Staff has received its appraisal of the property.  The Due Diligence process will continue.  A Survey and Research Report on the property will be presented later in this meeting.

Wallace House

3.  Wadsworth House.  Staff has received its appraisal on the property.  Mark Miller is pursuing purchase of the property.  The Projects Committee will present a recommendation on this property later in the meeting.

Wadsworth House

4.  Wilmore School.  City Council will vote on the designation of the property at its meeting on May 21st.

Wilmore School

5.  Charles E. Barnhardt House.   Restoration Work continues on the Charles E. Barnhardt House.   The property is being actively marketed.  Special thanks for the work of the Project Management Committee.  The Projects Committee will present recommendations concerning this property later in the meeting. 

Charles E. Barnhardt House

6.  Torrence Lytle School.  The Commission has approved a contract  with a prospective buyer of the Torrence Lytle School. The Projects Committee will report later in this meeting on the current status of the contract.  


7.  Charlotte Streetcar 85.  The Projects Committee will update the Commission on the status of the Lease of Streetcar 85 to Lakewood Trolley and the termination of the lease with the North Carolina Transportation Museum.

Charlotte Streetcar 85

8.  Delburg Mill House.   The Davidson Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a zoning variance that allows the owner to move ahead with the approved material alterations to the Delburg Mill House.


9.  Ingleside.  Staff has worked to ascertain the status of the property and has had on-going contact with the owner.  The Projects Committee will have a recommendation concerning this property later in the meeting.

Click Here For Photographs Of Ingleside

10.  Impending Demolition Of The McConnell House, 4009 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C.

The owner of the McConnell House, a designated historic landmark, has filed for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the house.  The house is being severely impacted by a major widening of Beatties Ford Road.  

The Design Review Committee will consider the Certificate of Appropriateness at its May meeting.  Staff will recommend that the effective date of the Certificate of Appropriateness be delayed for 365 days from the date of issuance.  Preservation North Carolina has visited the house. The owner has reportedly expressed a willingness to donate the house to anyone who will relocate it.  Preservation North Carolina will keep HLC Staff advised about possible preservation solutions.

11.  Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.  Mt. Carmel Baptist Church at 412 Campus Street, Charlotte, has been cited by the Charlotte Code Enforcement Agency for numerous building violations. Sometimes these violations can result in an order for the demolition of the building. The building is owned by JCSU.
Click Here for S&R Report

12.  Huntersville Jail

Stewart Gray has worked with the Town of Huntersville in developing preservation strategies for the Huntersville Jail, a designated historic landmark.  The Historic Landmarks Commission provides on-going professional advice to the communities it serves.

13.  Reconnaissance Survey of Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Charlotte.  The Commission has $10,000 of unencumbered funds in its Consultant Services Account for FY 2018.  This money must be encumbered by early June.  Staff recommends that this money be used to hire a consultant to initiate an update of a reconnaissance survey of portions of Charlotte that contain concentrations of mid-century modern architecture.  The purpose would be to develop a contextual understanding of potential historic landmarks. 

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Dan L. Morrill


1.  Dowd House and former Charlotte Fire Station No. 10.  The County has not yet determined how it will proceed with its plans to preserve the James C. Dowd House and Former Charlotte Fire Station Number Ten.  Staff anticipates that a meeting with County staff will occur soon to discuss the issue.



2.  The Jerry and Tena Wallace House. Staff has ordered an appraisal on the property.  The HLC is under contract to purchase the property and is performing due diligence.


3.  Wadsworth House.  Staff has ordered an appraisal on the property.


4.  Wilmore School.  The Public Hearing with the Charlotte City Council to consider the designation of the Wilmore School, 428 West Boulevard, Charlotte, as a historic landmark will occur in April.


5. Charles E. Barnhardt House.   Restoration Work continues on the Charles E. Barnhardt House.   Special thanks for the work of the Project Management Committee.  The Projects Committee considered the prospect of recommending purchase of an adjoining lot but decided not to pursue acquisition of the lot.

Staff has been discussing the issue of the roof.  Approximately $15,000 has been spent on a tarp, because the simulated wood roof composed of terracotta leaks.  The tarp will only last a few months, so if the house does not sell quickly, the HLC will have to repair the existing tarp or replace it.  Eric Gamble, the realtor, believes the tarp will not adversely affect the sale and that replacing it is premature.

Peter Wasmer, Project Manager, estimates that an asphalt shingle roof will cost no more than $50,000.  Staff believes that the asphalt roof would protect the house and increase its marketability.  Staff reckons that it would prudent to have the buyer decide whether he or she wants to replace the asphalt roof.  That would be preferable and more cost effective than offering a roof credit to a buyer.  There is enough money in the funds recognized by the County Commission to install the asphalt roof.  Would this not be the wisest path to follow?  A terracotta roof would cost approximately $250,000, and the HLC would have to seek recognition of additional money by the Board of County Commissioners.  This matter will have to be considered in closed session.

6.  Torrence Lytle School.  The Commission has received an offer to purchase the Torrence Lytle School.  


7.  Charlotte Streetcar 85.  Lakewood Trolley has submitted a proposal to lease Streetcar 85, which is currently leased to the North Carolina Transportation Museum.  This matter will be considered in closed session.


8.  Delburg Mill House.  
 Staff is working with the Town of Davidson to secure a zoning variance on the property.


9.  Ingleside.  Staff has learned that Ingleside on Bud Henderson Road is going into foreclosure.  The Commission purchased the house many years ago and placed preservation covenants in the deed.  Consequently, the house is protected.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Dan L. Morrill